A trip to Remember.

Botanical, Archaeological and Nature trail eco tourism.

Specialised weekly excursion trips around the most exciting but probably
lesser known features of this wonderful island.

We put you up in nice hotels and the groups are exclusively tailored for
the interest of that particular group, so if your special interest leans
toward the botanical or the archaeological - let us know - also if you have
fond memories of an earlier trip and wish to revisit certain spots - let us
know when booking - this is not a standard package tour.

Cyprus is a botanical paradise with a temperate
climate and breathtaking scenery. Endemic species of flora thrive from
the flat plains at sea level to the highest peaks in the Troodos
Mountains. After winter rains the land is carpeted with the bright
colours of spring flowers to delight the eyes of appreciative travellers

The third largest and most easterly of the
Mediterranean islands, Cyprus lies at a crossroads between Europe, Asia
and Africa. During the island’s tumultuous past numerous civilizations
have left a rich cultural heritage. Experience a continuation through
time as the 21st century reflects 10,000 years of history. Neolithic
settlements, Ancient Greek Temples, early Christian churches, Byzantine
art; all cherished and preserved in a unique and accessible way to
delight discerning visitors and residents alike.

Delicious, fresh, locally grown, food eaten at a
village taverna accompanied by the local wine provides the perfect
ending to a relaxing sun filled day. Holiday perfection.

We offer a friendly welcome and warm hospitality when
we share with you our love for the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite.

Churches

UNESCO is an agency of the
United Nations, established in 1946. Its primary mission is to define
and conserve the world's heritage by drawing up a list of sites whose
outstanding values should be preserved for all humanity. In addition it endeavours
to ensure their protection through a closer co-operation among
nations.
Cyprus became a member of UNESCO on 6th February 1961.

UNESCO helps with the preservation of archaeological
sites at Paphos, Khirokitia in the Larnaca district and buildings in the
Troodos region. Here on Troodos is to be found one of the largest groups
of churches and monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire. The ten
churches and monasteries from this area included on the World Heritage
List are all richly decorated with murals from the Byzantine and post
Byzantine period. The ten painted churches of the Troodos region are
1) 11th c Church of Ayios Nikolaos (St Nicholas) tis Steyis at
Kakopetria
2) 11th c Ayios Ionannis (St John), Lambadhistis at Kalopanayiotis
3) 12th c Church of Panayia (The Virgin) tou Arakou at Lagoudhera.
4) 12th c Church of Panayia (The Virgin) Phorviotissa (Asinou) at
Nikitart
5) 13th /14th c Church of Panayia (The Virgin) at Moutoullas
6) 15th c Church of Archangelos Michael (Archangel Michael) at Pedhoulas
7) 13th /15th c Church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) at Pelendria
8) 16th c Church of Panayia (The Virgin) Podhithou at Galata
9) 15th c Church of Stavros (Holy Cross) Ayiasmati at Platanistasa
10) 16th c Church of Ayia Sotira (of the Transfiguration of the Saviour)
tou Soteros at Palaichori

Nature Trails

In ancient times footpaths and cart tracks linked the
villages and towns of Cyprus. Since the arrival of ‘civilization’
and the dominance of the motorcar a modern road network has been
constructed and made the old routes redundant as the main links between
communities. There remain some traces of cart tracks near to old
bridges, but the majority of the old tracks are over grown and
impassable.

The Cyprus Tourist Organization funded the Forestry Department in
their work to bring some of the old routes back into use by clearing a
total of 200 kms. of pathways. Now there are almost 50 Nature Trails
throughout the unoccupied part of the island, from Cavo Greko in the
East to the Akamas in the West.

Travelling the trails allows the walker to come into close proximity
with rich natural vegetation and culturally interesting sites. Gentle
gradients and mainly circular routes make the Trails accessible to
reasonably active people of all age groups.

We advise you to

1) Wear shoes suitable for walking on rough, hard terrain.

2) Wear a hat and sunglasses and carry a bottle of drinking water.

3) Wear suitable clothing when entering monasteries and churches.

4) Wear suitable clothing for walking in the mountains. Even in the
summer months the air can feel cool, especially in the late afternoon
and evening.

5) Respect the natural environment.

Copper

Copper

was first discovered and
exploited during the Chalcolithic Age (3900 to 2500 BC). For many
centuries Cyprus was the biggest producer and exporter of copper in the
world.

The discovery of the rich stores of copper sulphide
zones coincided with the pioneering development of advanced methods of
extracting copper from its copper sulphide ores. The early pioneering
metallurgists travelled around the Mediterranean in their search for tin
a metal essential in the production of the copper-tin alloy, bronze.
Weapons such as arrow heads, spears and lance heads were made from
bronze, as well as this the metal was used for making tools and
implements for domestic purposes. Bronze formed the most important trade
for Cyprus for many centuries. Wealth was generated to the Cypriot
people as their capacity for exporting the metals increased. This
increased prosperity resulted in trade with other countries and the
importation of luxury items made from gold, ivory and silver.

It is believed that an increase in population was the
result of the increased wealth and prosperity of the island as people
from the northern mainland were attracted by the active and flourishing
life. Most of the copper produced in Cyprus was intended for
export. Evidence of the trade with Cyprus has been found in Iraq, Iran,
Mesopotamia, Egypt, Palestine, Crete, Sardinia, Greece, Italy and in the
Black Sea.

The production of copper and bronze continued until
iron replaced them in the manufacture of weapons and implements.

During the Roman period copper mining decreased and by
the time Richard the Lion heart visited the island it was completely
abandoned.

But the copper mining had lasted for 3,500 years and
produced more than 200, 000 tons of copper metal. Evidence for this has
been found in the extensive mounds of waste products, the ancient slag
heaps, particularly in evidence on the lower slopes of the Troodos
mountain range where more than 2 million tons of slag heaps are in the
Skouriotossa area. At Kalavassos 750,000 tons of slag was found.

It took vast amount of energy to produce the copper
from the ore and it is probable that the pine trees from many thousands
of square kilometres of forests were destroyed in the process.

5 years ago mining restarted in Skouriotossa area.
Copper is now exported in container ships from Lemesos harbour.

Mosaics.

Nea Pafos on the far west coast of the island is the
site of some impressive mosaics, a relic of the Roman occupation of
Cyprus. In 58 BC the Romans annexed the island and. Pafos became the
political and organizational centre of their administration. The
surviving opulent mosaics reflect the importance of the public and
private buildings that were built towards the end of the 2nd century AD.
To date the excavated buildings include an Agora, a Theatre, an
Amphitheatre, an Odeon and an Asklepieion. There were also temples
dedicated to Aphrodite, Artemis, Apollo, Zeus, Leto and probably
Dionysos.

The first mosaics in Nea Pafos were discovered by
chance in 1962. A systematic excavation carried out between 1962 and
1965 revealed the most spectacular group of mosaics in Cyprus.

The mosaics visible today survived earthquakes in the
second half of the 4th century A.D. and the majority of them are
displayed in their original position. Though now they are protected from
the elements with shelters erected by the Department of Antiquities.

The ancient city of Kourion on the southern coast near
to Episkopi was also a place of administrative importance for the
Romans. Though there is evidence that, like Nea Pafos, the site suffered
in the earthquakes of the 4th century AD. Here also the opulent mosaics
are an indication of the importance of the Roman citizens who lived here
so many centuries ago.

Thanks to the generosity of The Bank of Cyprus
Cultural Foundation there are excellent guidebooks available which
describe the mosaics in greater detail. But of course, no words can
describe the thrill of actually seeing the magnificence of their
craftsmanship for yourself.